They fail Atlético to the foundations: Simeone's worst defensive numbers

Nine points behind the leader in the League and prematurely eliminated from the Champions League, Atlético goes to Porto to risk their lives like a year ago, although this time it is for the crumbs of the Europa League.

That perhaps in spring they become more than a consolation.

The point is to have a handle to hold on to during the month-long break for the World Cup.

They must win this Tuesday (6:45 p.m.) -or at least equal the result of Leverkusen playing in Bruges- to finish third.

Just in case, things of

and superstition, he stays in the same hotel, the Hilton Porto Gaia, next to the wineries.

Although Cholo is more concerned about the many sudoku puzzles to be solved, almost none are like defense.

If during his era there was an unequivocal sign of identity, it was the stony way of protecting himself against rivals.

There were sections in which scoring a goal against Atlético was a titanic task even for the greats of Europe.

In the 2013/2014 season, between Manchester City,

's Barça and Chelsea, they only scored three goals in 540 minutes of Champions League qualifiers, for example.

Two seasons later Cholo's defensive zenith arrived: he conceded 26 goals in 51 games,

's record in the League (18 in 38 to equal

) included.

The Slovenian, infinite reliability, and a couple of central defenders for history (

), were the key.

The foundations.

In the last two games, Atlético have conceded five goals.

In the last four, seven.

It is no coincidence, it is a trend since last season, where an almost unique inertia of solidity was broken.

Removing Cholo's first full season, in the other nine until 2020 he always conceded less than one goal per game adding League and continental competition.

And never more than 40. But the fragility became gangrene since last year, when Atlético received 43 goals in the League, 53 in the 48 duels adding Europe.

Taremi, Evanilson...

This afternoon the Iranian

(four goals in the last two Champions League games, 11 so far this season),

and the Murcian

threaten .

Porto is third in its league -also far behind Benfica-: already classified, they will seek first place in the group while waiting for a possible puncture from Bruges.

But the key for Cholo goes through two men.

With

, life is easier.

Without them together, the obvious chaos.

The first part against Leverkusen, where Simeone introduced

to "have a faster exit pass" and "refresh", two goals.

Three were on Saturday in Cádiz (the first, in 37 seconds), against a team that had made five in 11 games, when it was the Uruguayan who rested.

The defense with three central defenders, with

delaying his natural position, has always seemed the worst solution, despite the coach's efforts.

As simple (Savic-Giménez), as complicated at the same time.

Because the recurring physical problems of both make them need reliable alternatives.

They could not appear together until the Pizjuán duel (a clean sheet) and chained seven in a row without respite.

“Its importance is recognizable.

Only injuries have deprived us of the very good defenders we have.

When they are there, they give us that security that teams need to grow from them.

They do not appear in the photo, but they are the ones who end up winning the games: they invite the team to play comfortably, calmly … ", Cholo reflected that day.

Since 2015, in 112 games forming a couple in the center of the defense, just 12 losses (not even 11%).

Today, with the doubts of

(

they are still low), you must entrust your gladiatorial partner as never before.

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